Local high school freshman gets $150K investment on season premiere of ‘Shark Tank’

Carson Grill, 15, a freshman at Fenwick High School, and his father, Jason, entered the Tank to pitch Carson’s paint saving invention, The Touch Up Cup. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Credit: ABC

Credit: ABC

Carson Grill, 15, a freshman at Fenwick High School, and his father, Jason, entered the Tank to pitch Carson’s paint saving invention, The Touch Up Cup. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Fenwick High School freshman Carson Grill and his father Jason received a $150,000 investment on the season premiere of the ABC show “Shark Tank” on Friday night in their paint storage product.

The product, The Touch Up Cup, keeps paint from becoming clumpy so it can remain fresh for more than 10 years.

They entered the show asking for a $150,000 investment for 10% of the company. Two sharks made pitches. Guest star Blake Mycoskie of TOMS Shoes offered $200,000 for 25% of the company, and Daymond John offered $150,000 for 17.5% of the company.

They chose a deal with Mycoskie for a $150,000 investment.

“Normally on Shark Tank when you bring in your son, usually the father gives the pitch, and the son does a little demo, and then off they go because things are going to get tough in the tank,” said shark Kevin O’Leary to the pair. "So far, Carson’s doing all the talking, you’re not saying anything.

“You know what, I have all faith in him,” Jason said.

Social media had plenty to say about the appearance.

In an interview before the show aired, Grill told the story of the product.

Two years ago, while doing some touch-up painting in their Liberty Twp. home, Carson and his father found the stored paint was ruined because it was clumpy. There had to be a better way to store paint, they figured.

So through “trial and error” they invented a paint saver, The Touch Up Cup. They incorporated a stainless-steel mixing ball for easy mixing that allows paint to remain fresh for more than 10 years.

Their motto: “Just shake and paint.”

They took their prototype around to trade shows, then in March sent in a video application to the producers of “Shark Tank.” The show received about 40,000 applications, and 80 people were selected to appear on Season 12.

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